It's All About Timing....

Since I have completed all the paintings I needed to do....I have a few days at the studio to organize my thoughts and supplies. 

When I applied for the opportunity in France, it was a whim.  I met another artist who had gone a few years ago and read an article she had published about her trip.  So, one day I asked how she arranged it.  Seems there is a foundation that was set up by an artist in Dinan (a small village in Brittany).  Her name was Yvonne Jean-Haffen and she willed her home and a cottage.  The cottage was to be used for visiting artists - each  to use the cottage for one month.  The foundation takes care of the cottage and choosing the artists who come from all over the world.  The deadline for the application is November 1st of each year and includes a formal letter (in french) about yourself and why you would like to paint there.  Also, photos of your work.  I received the acceptance letter two days before Christmas saying that I would have the month of September if I accepted.  And that's it.  The payment is to leave one of my paintings that I will do during my stay which they will choose.  All our correspondence are in French and have been mostly by mail, but recently have been receiving emails from one of the members to make arrangements to meet me with the keys to the cottage.

I have been thinking about "timing".  To be able to leave for a month to paint would never have occurred to me since there was always so much going on in our lives - work, the kids, life in general.  It has been strange planning for this adventure.  In the beginning, I assumed Art would go with me since he is retired now, but he felt I would try to keep him busy instead of concentrating on my work...and he was probably right.  So asking Chris to join me has been the best idea as we have the same interest in getting work done and exploring our creative process.  Then, in the mist of all this, Art and I bought a new house and moved...so maybe it is the best time to go!  We are moved in and actually pretty settled. 

Art has all types of projects he wants to do...so I won't have to worry about keeping him busy afterall.  The dogs - Sarah & Remy love the new yard.  Lots of space!